Uploaded November 2024 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
John Vervaeke engages in a profound discussion with James Filler, author of 'Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being'. They examine the core arguments of Jame’s book, which emphasizes relationality as more fundamental than individual existence in understanding reality. The conversation explores Neoplatonism, Heidegger's philosophy, and the convergence of these ideas with contemporary physics and biology. James recounts his journey in developing his dissertation into a pivotal work aimed at reorienting ontological perspectives. John and James also discuss the trajectory of Western and Eastern Christian thought, touching upon relational ontology's scientific and ethical ramifications.
James Filler is the author of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being, a groundbreaking work exploring the philosophical underpinnings of relational ontology. His forthcoming book, Substance Ontology and the Crisis of Reason deepens the critique of substance thinking in Western philosophy.
If you find yourself torn between rationality and spirituality, science and mysticism, facts and belief; The Lectern's inaugural 8-week course will offer you a new lens through which to reflect on these dilemmas. Click here to enroll: lectern.teachable.com/p/einstein-and-spinoza-s-god1
Notes:
0:00 Welcome to the Lectern
1:00 Core themes of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being
3:00 Background of James Filler
5:30 Core argument of the book
10:00 The philosophical debate between Parmenides and Heraclitus
15:00 Ontological relationality and its philosophical implications
25:00 Heidegger's dialogue with Asian philosophy and the Christian trinity
34:00 Western vs. Eastern Christianity - diverging paths
40:00 A critique of Process Philosophy
48:30 The conceptual and ethical implications of historical Christian interpretations
51:30 Distinction between discursive and non-discursive reasoning
58:30 Substance ontology and the crisis of reason
1:03:00 Addressing the crisis of rationality in modernity
1:11:00 Final reflections on relationality and its broader impacts
If you want to learn more about Prof. John Vervaeke's new Online Classroom—a place to learn, dialogue, reflect and transform our relationship to the life and times we are in: lectern.teachable.com
The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. vervaekefoundation.org
Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. awakentomeaning.com
John Vervaeke:
johnvervaeke.com
twitter.com/vervaeke_john
youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
patreon.com/johnvervaeke
John Vervaeke engages in a profound discussion with James Filler, author of 'Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being'. They examine the core arguments of Jame’s book, which emphasizes relationality as more fundamental than individual existence in understanding reality. The conversation explores Neoplatonism, Heidegger's philosophy, and the convergence of these ideas with contemporary physics and biology. James recounts his journey in developing his dissertation into a pivotal work aimed at reorienting ontological perspectives. John and James also discuss the trajectory of Western and Eastern Christian thought, touching upon relational ontology's scientific and ethical ramifications.
James Filler is the author of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being, a groundbreaking work exploring the philosophical underpinnings of relational ontology. His forthcoming book, Substance Ontology and the Crisis of Reason deepens the critique of substance thinking in Western philosophy.
If you find yourself torn between rationality and spirituality, science and mysticism, facts and belief; The Lectern's inaugural 8-week course will offer you a new lens through which to reflect on these dilemmas. Click here to enroll: lectern.teachable.com/p/einstein-and-spinoza-s-god1
Notes:
0:00 Welcome to the Lectern
1:00 Core themes of Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being
3:00 Background of James Filler
5:30 Core argument of the book
10:00 The philosophical debate between Parmenides and Heraclitus
15:00 Ontological relationality and its philosophical implications
25:00 Heidegger's dialogue with Asian philosophy and the Christian trinity
34:00 Western vs. Eastern Christianity - diverging paths
40:00 A critique of Process Philosophy
48:30 The conceptual and ethical implications of historical Christian interpretations
51:30 Distinction between discursive and non-discursive reasoning
58:30 Substance ontology and the crisis of reason
1:03:00 Addressing the crisis of rationality in modernity
1:11:00 Final reflections on relationality and its broader impacts
If you want to learn more about Prof. John Vervaeke's new Online Classroom—a place to learn, dialogue, reflect and transform our relationship to the life and times we are in: lectern.teachable.com
The Vervaeke Foundation is committed to advancing the scientific pursuit of wisdom and creating a significant impact on the world. Become a part of our mission. vervaekefoundation.org
Join Awaken to Meaning to explore practices that enhance your virtues and foster deeper connections with reality and relationships. awakentomeaning.com
John Vervaeke:
johnvervaeke.com
twitter.com/vervaeke_john
youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
patreon.com/johnvervaeke

![Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis
In this episode of ”Voices with Vervaeke,” John Vervaeke continues his ongoing exploration of Internal Family Systems (IFS) theory with psychotherapist, clinician, and researcher Kasra Mirzaie. Kasra shares his insights into the cognitive, existential, and spiritual aspects of IFS, highlighting its potential to help individuals make sense of their inner conflicts, regulate emotions, and resolve developmental psychopathology. With a focus on dialectic, mythos, and serious play, Kasra explains how IFS can help individuals forge and come into contact with different aspects of their being and identity, promoting healing and transformation. Throughout the conversation, John and Kasra explore the philosophical and spiritual dimensions of IFS and how it can be integrated with other therapeutic approaches to promote participatory knowing, self-transcendence, and a deeper understanding of the self. Delving into poignant examples and transformative insights, the conversation illuminates the profound impact of embracing our multiplicity through IFS, offering listeners a pathway to understanding and healing that transcends traditional therapeutic boundaries.
Guest Bio and Links:
Kasra Mirzaie is a psychotherapist, researcher, and educator with a focus on emotion regulation and developmental psychopathology. Kasra brings a unique perspective to the discussion, combining clinical experience with a deep interest in philosophical psychology and meaning-making processes.
Join our new Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
The Vervaeke Foundation
https://vervaekefoundation.org/
Awaken to Meaning
https://awakentomeaning.com/
Voices with Vervaeke:
Wisdom Through the Imaginal: IFS Insights with Seth Allison Part 3 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ZVr7R3LOJk&t=198s
Chronic Pain, Trust, and Ethics: A Conversation with Terri Dentry and Nate Kinch https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lzug-jtx1PA
Many Minds, One Self: Evidence for a Radical Shift in Paradigm - Richard C. Schwartz https://www.amazon.com/Many-Minds-One-Self-Evidence/dp/0692957340
Phenomenological Bioethics: Medical Technologies, Human Suffering, and the Meaning of Being Alive - Fredrik Svenaeus https://www.amazon.com/Phenomenological-Bioethics-Medical-Technologies-Suffering/dp/1138629960
Thomas Fuchs:
In Defence of the Human Being: Foundational Questions of an Embodied Anthropology https://www.amazon.com/Defence-Human-Being-Foundational-Anthropology/dp/0192898191/
Ecology of the Brain: The phenomenology and biology of the embodied mind (International Perspectives in Philosophy and Psychiatry) https://www.amazon.com/Ecology-Brain-phenomenology-International-Perspectives/dp/0199646880/
Somatic Internal Family Systems Therapy: Awareness, Breath, Resonance, Movement, and Touch in Practice Endorsed by top experts in therapeutic healing modalities - Susan McConnell https://www.amazon.com/Practitioners-Guide-Somatic-IFS-Therapy/dp/1623174880
Simurgh: A Journey in Search of the Truth - Azar Aryanpour https://www.amazon.com/Simurgh-Journey-Search-Azar-Aryanpour/dp/1414023650
Quotes:
“My take on IFS is that its actually a model of the living, in self-organizing psyche that is composed of living things. Those interact with each other in a certain qualitative space and relationship that we would call the self.” - Kasra Mirzaie [00:05:09]
“The body is really fundamental to keeping us anchored to the world... if we train the mind to properly listen, it can act as a significant counterbalance to spiritual bypassing and hubristic self-deception. - John Vervaeke, paraphrasing Merleau-Ponty [01:13:45]
Glossary of Terms:
Internal Family Systems (IFS): A therapeutic approach that recognizes and addresses multiple sub-personalities or parts within each individual.
The Imaginal: A concept referring to a creative and transformative space that goes beyond mere imagination, facilitating deep healing and self-discovery.
Chapters:
[00:00:00] - Introduction to Kasra Mirzaie: Insights into Psychotherapy, Research, and IFS
[00:08:18] - Enhancing Self-Awareness: Salience, Perspective-Taking, and the Journey Within
[00:17:38] - Bridging Kant and Vervaeke: Participatory Knowing and the Self in IFS
[00:30:29] - Mythos and Identity: Cultural Echoes and the Role of the Imaginal in Healing
[00:42:43] - IFS and Modern Psychotherapy: Addressing Mental Health and Meaning
[00:53:29] - Socratic Integration in IFS: Bridging Reflection and Healing Within a Pedagogical Framework
[01:07:13] - Addressing Self-Deception in IFS: Integrating Embodiment and Community Feedback
[01:14:42] - Conclusion: Reflecting on IFS, Philosophy, and the Journey Ahead
Connect with John:
Website: https://johnvervaeke.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
X: https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VervaekeJohn/ Engaging the Imaginal: Kasra Mirzaie on IFS and the Meaning Crisis](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/xOTWGLmYtjE/mqdefault.jpg)





![Beyond the One: Unraveling Plotinus and Pure Relationality with Robert Gray and Eric Orwoll
In this episode, John Vervaeke, Robert Gray, and Eric Orwell explore the intricacies of Plotinus, Neo-Platonism, and pure relationality. They meticulously analyze James Fillers thought-provoking paper, viewing its ideas through Heideggers philosophy and the essence of language. The concept of pure relationality and its impact on our understanding of reality is thoroughly examined, highlighting key themes such as the One, sacredness, and ethical dimensions. Diverse perspectives are brought into dialogue, and traditional views are critically assessed, as the guests reconstruct philosophical concepts for the contemporary world. The episode offers both grounding exercises and detailed analysis, taking listeners on a journey through ancient wisdom to discover its relevance in addressing todays challenges.
Eric Orwoll is a Christian Platonist philosopher and the creator of the Understanding Platonism and Aarvoll YouTube channels.
Robert Gray is the creator of The Meditating Philosopher YouTube channel.
Glossary of Terms
Relational Ontology: The philosophical study that posits relations rather than substances as the fundamental constituents of reality.
Neoplatonism: A philosophical system that emphasizes the spiritual and metaphysical aspects of reality, drawing on Platos ideas.
John Vervaeke:
Website: https://johnvervaeke.com/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@johnvervaeke
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
X: https://twitter.com/vervaeke_john
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/VervaekeJohn/
Eric Orwoll
YouTube:
Understanding Plato: https://www.youtube.com/@understandingplato1134/
Robert Gray
Email: meditatingphilosopher@gmail.com
YouTUbe: www.youtube.com/@TheMeditatingPhilosopher
Join our new Patreon
https://www.patreon.com/johnvervaeke
The Vervaeke Foundation - https://vervaekefoundation.org/
Awaken to Meaning - https://awakentomeaning.com/
John Vervaeke YouTube
Awakening from the Meaning Crisis https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLND1JCRq8Vuh3f0P5qjrSdb5eC1ZfZwWJ
Books, Articles, and Publications
The One as Pure Relation in Plotinus - Filler, James (2019). International Journal of the Platonic Tradition https://brill.com/view/journals/jpt/13/1/article-p1_1.xml
Heidegger, Neoplatonism, and the History of Being: Relation as Ontological Ground - James Filler
https://www.amazon.com/dp/3031309065
The Cognitive-Theoretic Model of the Universe: A New Kind of Reality Theory - Christopher Langan https://www.amazon.com/Cognitive-Theoretic-Model-Universe-Reality-Theory/dp/0971916225
Essential Difference: Toward a Metaphysics of Emergence - James Blachowicz https://www.amazon.com/Essential-Difference-Toward-Metaphysics-Emergence/dp/1438443323
Quotes
It reminded me of the attitude towards language in the Platonic dialogues, where Socrates moves into something more poetic, almost verse. Theres that shift between prosaic, dialectical investigation and mytho-poetic, dreamlike exposition. Thats interesting; Ive identified those mythic sections often contain the deepest insights about the nature of reality. - Eric Orwoll [00:07:06]
It helped to explain how and why those two are non logically one. That gave me a profound aha. Then, the critique of substance in the Aristotelian sense, where the subject predicate nature of logic and language is the same fundamental structure of reality, reality is made up of independently existing things that contain properties or enter into action. - John Vervaeke [00:16:00]
Chapters
[00:00:00] - Introduction and Grounding Exercise
[00:03:20] - Overview of James Fillers Work
[00:08:20] - Theological Poetic Language and Platos Ontology
[00:12:40] - Hemispheric Approaches to Reasoning
[00:14:07] - Johns Personal and Philosophical Reflections on Fillers Work
[00:20:08] - Dissecting Fillers Arguments: Exegesis and Ontological Inquiry
[00:30:20] - Revisiting Relationality and Unity: Ethical and Ontological Nuances
[00:46:00] - Navigating Reality: From Illusion to Sacredness
[00:52:56] - Tradition and Global Spirituality
[01:04:56] - Bridging Metaphysical Necessity and Cognitive Pluralism
[01:15:08] - A Philosophical Inquiry into Forms and Instantiations
[01:23:18] - Final Thoughts and Future Conversations Beyond the One: Unraveling Plotinus and Pure Relationality with Robert Gray and Eric Orwoll](https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ylEGSDrWRnE/mqdefault.jpg)

